Context: PM and German Chancellor get grand welcome with music and dance performances; the leaders visit exhibit reflecting Ahmedabad’s architectural heritage, watch demonstrations on kite-making.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the International Kite Festival, 2026 on the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending as the chief guest. The two leaders launched the festival by flying kites.
- Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were present, along with members of the State Cabinet, MLAs, municipal corporation office-bearers, and senior State government officials.
- Mr. Modi and Mr. Merz were welcomed with music and dance performances. Cultural presentations included Gujarati folk dance Beda Raas, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Mallakhamb.
- The two leaders visited an exhibit reflecting the architectural heritage of Ahmedabad’s pols and havelis (traditional houses and grand residences).
- As part of a heritage walkway, a kite museum and a photo wall have been set up. The dignitaries were briefed on kites from different Indian States, made using various materials and techniques. They observed demonstrations by artisans on kite-making.
- The festival on the Sabarmati riverfront draws inspiration from kite-flying celebrations held across Gujarat annually ahead of Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti, which falls this year.
- It celebrates the sun’s northward journey and the transition towards summer. The festival is being organised by Gujarat Tourism.
- A musical ensemble by 108 artists from Gujarat and Rajasthan featuring instruments such as sitar, sarangi, violin, mandolin, harmonium, flute, dholak, tabla, and mridang will perform.
- The performance included Vande Mataram, Vaishnav Jan, and German compositions. Folk singer Kinjal Dave will perform and illuminated kites will light up the night sky.
- This year, the festival boasts 135 international kite-flyers representing 50 countries and 65 kite-flyers from 13 Indian States. In addition, 871 kite-flyers from 16 districts of Gujarat are participating.
- The countries are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the U.K., the United States, Vietnam, Slovenia, Bahrain, Nepal, Turkey, and Jordan.
- To introduce visitors to Gujarati cuisine and handicrafts, 25 handicraft stalls and 15 food stalls have been set up at the venue.